Indore: Mumbai Indians defeated Kings XI by 6 wickets keeping their playoff hopes alive in the IPL here on Friday at the Holkar Stadium. It was Suryakumar Yadav's half-century and Krunal Pandya's late assault powered MI towards victory against the Kings XI.
Chasing a target of 175 runs by the Kings eleven, Mumbai started on a slow note with both the openers Suryakumar Yadav and Evin Lewis, but later on took the opponent bowlers towards the boundaries.
Lewis lost his wicket in the 6th overs at score 10 while Suryakumar (57) smashed half century keeping Mumbai in the game, on the other end with Ishan Kishan 25. Suryakumar's 57 came off in 42 balls hitting six fours and three sixes.
While Punjab fought back and claimed wickets of Suryakumar and Ishan.Hardik Pandya also contributed a useful knock of 23 runs after being bowled in the 16th over. While skipper Rohit Sharma also scored 24 and Krunal Pandya 31 played a winning innings for the Mumbai.
For Punjab skipper R Ashwin was the only bowler who bowled well, but failed to take wickets but Mujeeb Ur Rahman claimed two wickets proving expensive.
Earlier, Kings eleven batsman KL Rahul and Chris Gayle started on a positive note stiching a partnership of 54 runs for the first wicket.
Rahul throwed his wicket at 24, and Gayle continued with his impressive strokes reaching his 24th IPL fifty. During his fifty innings Gayle hit six fours and two sixes.
However, Yuvraj Singh poor form continued as could only score 14 runs after being run-out in the 13th over.
Karun Nair hit a quickfire 23 runs while Axar Patel (13) chipped with a few runs.
Mumbai skipper Rohit used seven bowlers of which Jasprit Bumrah (1/19) stood out while Mitchell McClenaghan (1/31) also bowled well.
A late cameo of 29 runs off 15 balls by Stoinis helped Punjab reach a respectable total.